"It is absolutely clear: we can be satisfied neither by the situation [in eastern Ukraine] nor the results of this evening," Steinmeier told reporters after talks with his French, Russian and Ukrainian counterparts.

The meeting that lasted for around four hours was very difficult, he said. "I am not satisfied by how Kiev and Moscow hold talks here," the minister stressed adding that the situation in the region can deteriorate at any moment.

"Little steps will not be enough for sure to calm down the situation for a long prospect and overcome the conflict," Steinmeier said. "Until stable ceasefire is reached, there is a threat of military and political escalation that could bury any attempts to implement the Minsk agreements."

The minister said the sides failed to make progress on political issues, namely the local elections in Donbass. "They are a crucial condition for achieving progress in the political process," he said, adding that positions of the sides significantly differ here.

"The elections cannot be held without ensuring the necessary security level," he stressed.